My best friend had a baby boy last night, tips please!?

Question

My husband and I only have animal kids so I'm very excited about this baby of whom I feel like an aunt to, but I'm very inexperienced, I don't even think I've held a baby in the last 10 years!
Please throw out any helpful tips you may have. My friend is breast-feeding and has a breast pump, they have 2 boston terriers, going to use Pampers swaddlers, if that prompts anything..

Answer 1

As a mother of 5 (2 girls, 3 boys) my advice would be to give your friend as much emotional support as possible. Bringing a newborn home is a very challenging and exciting experience. In the next few months she will run the gamete of emotions from feeling very overwhelmed to feeling that motherhood is the ultimate experience. She may need you to give a break, especially if she's nursing. Drop by and offer to feed the baby (if she's pumping). Allow her to do small things like take a shower (believe me she be grateful for the chance), help her with a meal, tidy up or just be there to let her talk about the rewards and struggles of motherhood.

Answer 2

Well, I'd say keep the dogs at a distance for now. The diaper choice is a good one. If she's breastfeeding the pump can be used to help her if she's engorged, or if she needs a break she can pump and her husband (or you!) can feed while she rests. Breastfeeding can be trying so be supportive of her while she learns how to breastfeed for the first time. She also might want to have formula on hand just in case she's having a bit of trouble. I used Enfamil. (I'm a mother of 3 expecting my 4th in two weeks)

Some of the nicest things you could do for her would include-
-holding/feeding the baby so she can rest.
-run errands; grocery shop, etc.
-bring over prepared meals or cook for her there.
-clean up around her house.

Simple things really are the things that make the most difference. If I have someone just to pick up after me, do a few loads of laundry, cook a few meals, and run some errands so that i can have a few moments of rest, that's worth so much more than presents!

Also there is a great book- "What to expect when you're expecting." There are wonderful tips and it's a very popular book so you can find it at any bookstore. There is also a few additions after that book that go over the first years and such. It would be helpful to her and to you!

Hope those things help you!!

Answer 3

Things they will appreciate..

1.Make or buy some freezable meals so they don't have to worry about cooking for a few days.

2.Offer to walk the dogs[if you like them]

3.Never drop by unannounced to "see the baby" guaranteed you'll walk in at a bad time. Call first and offer to grab some coffee or a magazine for your friend.

4. Let her be able to talk to you. Don't say you understand because you don't but let her yell you how she's doing.

5. If your a really good friend she may take some of her tiredness,frustration out on you. Take it for what is is and blow it off[just this once..lol]

Hope these help..I have 2 children and lots of friends with kids! Good Luck!

Answer 4

First, offer your services up to the mom and dad...ie - cooking them up a dinner, doing some laundry, watching the baby while they nap or shower. If you are really close friends with them these things should seem second nature.

If you're looking to get a gift of sorts, I always like to do the piggy bank (but personalized) and a small token such as an outfit.

The biggest help a new set of parents want is just the extra hands around the house - but of course, as new parents we often feel we should be superheros and do it all ourselves. Just let them know that it's something you really want to do for them and it isn't a bother.

Answer 5

the food thing is a great help especially since she is breastfeeding. she will be more hungry than ever in her life, i assure you. be sure she has some good breast milk bags. i like the ones made by the first years that have a pour spout. they stand up the best. she is going to be exhausted so maybe ask if you can stop by after she has fed the baby and you can just play with him while she naps. my in laws did this and i thought i would feel guilty but honesty that lasted for only 2 minutes before i fell into a deep sleep. get her a set of comfortable pj's and let her know it's okay to stay in her pj's for a couple of days. be sure she has a vibrating bouncy seat. those are great for when she needs a shower and no one is around. he can just relax in the seat while mom gets a shower. fisher price makes a pretty cool one that converts to a rocker type thing. also, be willing to go places with her. even if it's just to target. i wanted someone around to help me adjust to using the car seat, stroller, etc... so i didn't have to look inexperienced by myself. congrats and enjoy!! oh and buy them a swaddling blanket. babies r us'-10 bucks. my son would sleep so soundly when he was bundled. we would save it for nighttime so he knew it was time to sleep for longer than 2 hours. oh and get the 'what to expect in the first year' book.

Answer 6

I incredibly have 2 daughters 15 months aside. the infancy of the 2d one would be a blur. a chum gave me a calendar with stickers for infant milestones, like rolled over, waved byebye, etc. i published this by potential of the door of the nursery, and whilst DD2 reached a milestone, i might in simple terms stick the right sticky label on that day. then, later on, i ought to fill in the baby e book. for a on a similar time as, they are going to the two nap 2x an afternoon. you're taking a nap, too, the two throughout the time of the two or in simple terms one, as you will desire your relax. in case you intend on nursing, nurse mendacity down in the time of the evening feedings, it fairly is a lot extra restful that way. substitute their diapers one suitable after the different. the older one might get slightly mad at you once you flow to the wellness facility to have the extra youthful one, esp if he does not see you for some days. %. out a latest from the baby to him, and supply it to him. it's going to be cool whilst they become previous, and that they might play mutually. make time to play with the older one whilst the extra youthful is snoozing, and emphasize the stuff he can do through fact he's a huge boy. he might get jealous of each and all of the attention babies for sure entice. reliable good fortune! you will get via the 1st year and a 0.5. verify the babies' dad helps you to've breaks, get out with acquaintances etc.

Answer 7

BREASTFEEDING IS DIFFICULT AT FIRST. THE BREAST ENGORGE AND HURT, NIPPLES GET VERY SORE. HAVE YOUR FRIEND PUT THE LIQUID FROM INSIDE VITAMIN E CAPSULES ON HER NIPPLES TO HEAL THEM WHEN THEY START TO HURT. ALSO HOT COMPRESSES RELIEVE SOME OF THE PAIN FROM ENGORGEMENT.
THE FIRST NIGHT HOME BABIES USUALLY DON'T SLEEP TO MUCH SO IF YOU ARE HELPING HER THROUGH THE NIGHT SITTING UP WITH HER IF SHE NEEDS COMPANY HELPS FIGHT OFF BABY BLUES. JUST BE THERE FOR HER, AND IF YOU CAN WATCH THE BABY SO SHE CAN REST LIKE A MID-DAY NAP THAT IS GREAT.

Answer 8

tell her not to get the hepatitis shot they give the baby in the hospitalhttp://www.thinktwice.com/stories.htm
ThinkTwice Global Vaccine Institute: Avoid Immunization Reactionshttp://www.whale.to/b/hoax1.html
THE VACCINATION HOAX.http://www.nexusmagazine.com/articles/VaccineResearcher.html
NEXUS: Interview with a Vaccine Researcher

Answer 9

there really is nothing that anyone can tell you. i know what worked for my son, but that doesn't mean that it will work for any other baby. the first few months are all about trying to get the schedule down and figuring out what they are all about. it's a brand new person and you know nothing about them. it's hard at first. in a few weeks, it would be really nice of you to offer to watch the baby while they take a nap because they are going to need it.

Answer 10

the first thing that comes to mind is when you hold the baby support his head and give him loads of kisses.